High rate discharge (HRD) valve incorporating a collet sleeve release mechanism

Abstract

A valve actuation mechanism for a high rate discharge valve has a collet with fingers adjacent a valve member that provides restraint against displacement of the valve member at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of the valve member. Each collet finger has at least one projection adjacent a first end. The valve actuation mechanism also has a collet sleeve release mechanism with a main body portion having a first end and a second end. The main body portion contains an aperture with at least one land portion that secures each projection of the collet fingers. The main body portion also has an actuation pad at the second end, as well as a hinge mechanism for allowing rotational movement of the main body portion connected to the first end of the main body portion, and an actuation device that contacts the actuation pad.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A high rate discharge (HRD) valve for release of a fluid, the valve comprising:
 a valve body with a vertical central bore and a chamber cavity; 
 an outlet port in communication with the chamber cavity; 
 a valve member, the valve member comprising:
 a stem that supports the valve member on an axis of the bore throughout displacement of the valve member from a first position to a second position; 
 an inlet port in communication with the bore adapted for removable attachment of a pressure-charged container of the fluid, with fluid continuously loading the valve member for displacement from the first position to the second position; 
 a collet with fingers adjacent the stem providing restraint against displacement of the valve member at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of the bore, each collet finger having at least one protrusion adjacent a first end; and 
 a collet sleeve release mechanism comprising: 
 
 a main body portion having a first end and a second end, the main body portion containing an aperture with at least one land portion that secures each protrusion of the collet fingers, and an actuation pad at the second end; 
 a hinge mechanism for allowing rotational movement of the main body portion connected to the first end of the main body portion; and 
 an actuation device that contacts the actuation pad, wherein the actuation device is an electric initiator which actuates horizontally with respect to the bore axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The HRD valve of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism comprises:
 a post attached to the valve body; 
 a pin connecting the post to the second end of the main body portion of the collet sleeve release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       3. The HRD valve of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a valve cap attached to the valve body, wherein the collet sleeve release mechanism is contained within the valve cap; and 
 a spring between the valve cap and the main body portion of the collet sleeve release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       4. The HRD valve of  claim 1 , wherein the valve member is a poppet with a piston end attached to the stem. 
     
     
       5. A fire suppression system for release of a fire extinguishant, the system comprising:
 a pressure container for holding the fire extinguishant; 
 the valve of  claim 1 ; 
 a conduit connected to the flow passage of the valve; and 
 a nozzle for dispersing the fire extinguishant upon opening of the high speed valve. 
 
     
     
       6. The fire suppression system of  claim 5 , wherein the hinge mechanism comprises:
 a post attached to the valve body; 
 a pin connecting the post to the second end of the main body portion of the collet sleeve release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       7. The fire suppression system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a valve cap attached to the valve body, wherein the collet sleeve release mechanism is contained within the valve cap; and 
 a spring between the valve cap and the main body portion of the collet sleeve release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       8. The fire suppression system of  claim 5 , wherein the valve member is a poppet with a piston end attached to the stem. 
     
     
       9. A valve actuation mechanism for a high rate discharge valve, comprising:
 a collet with fingers adjacent a valve member providing restraint against displacement of the valve member at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of the valve member, each collet finger having at least one projection adjacent a first end; and 
 a collet sleeve release mechanism comprising:
 a main body portion having a first end and a second end, the main body portion containing an aperture with at least one land portion that secures each projection of the collet fingers, and an actuation pad at the second end; 
 a hinge mechanism for allowing rotational movement of the main body portion connected to the first end of the main body portion; and 
 an actuation device that contacts the actuation pad, wherein the actuation device is a protractor mounted horizontally with respect to the main body portion. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The valve actuation mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanism is attached to a valve body having a flow passage therethrough; and wherein the valve further comprises:
 a poppet disposed within the valve body, the poppet movable between a first position in which the poppet blocks the flow passage and a second position, the poppet containing a piston connected to a stem at a proximal end of the stem, wherein the stem is secured within the valve by the collet. 
 
     
     
       11. The valve actuation mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the hinge mechanism comprises:
 a post attached to the valve body; 
 a pin connecting the post to the second end of the main body portion of the collet sleeve release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       12. A high rate discharge (HRD) valve for release of a fluid, the valve comprising:
 a valve body with a vertical central bore and a chamber cavity; 
 an outlet port in communication with the chamber cavity;
 a valve member, the valve member comprising: 
 a stem that supports the valve member on an axis of the bore throughout displacement of the valve member from a first position to a second position; 
 an inlet port in communication with the bore adapted for removable attachment of a pressure-charged container of the fluid, with fluid continuously loading the valve member for displacement from the first position to the second position; 
 a collet with fingers adjacent the stem providing restraint against displacement of the valve member at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of the bore, each collet finger having at least one protrusion adjacent a first end; and 
 a collet sleeve release mechanism comprising: 
 
 a main body portion having a first end and a second end, the main body portion containing an aperture with at least one land portion that secures each protrusion of the collet fingers, and an actuation pad at the second end; 
 a hinge mechanism for allowing rotational movement of the main body portion connected to the first end of the main body portion; and 
 an actuation device that contacts the actuation pad; 
 a valve cap attached to the valve body, wherein the collet sleeve release mechanism is contained within the valve cap; and 
 a spring between the valve cap and the main body portion of the collet sleeve release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       13. The HRD valve of  claim 12 , wherein the actuation device is actuated vertically with respect to the bore axis.